UFCThe Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts organization, recognized as the largest MMA promotion in the world. The UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada and is owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC. This promotion is responsible for solidifying the sport's postion in the history-books.
UFC is currently undergoing a remarkable surge in popularity, along with greater mainstream media coverage. UFC programming can now be seen on FOX, FX, and FUEL TV in the United States, as well as in 35 other countries worldwide.

When MMA had a beautiful narrative to its violence.
Matthew Salzer
CONTRIBUTOR
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When one thinks of the UFC they think of two guys (or girls) in the Octagon constantly beating on each other until the bell rings, one gets knocked out, or one locks in a submission on the other. However, there are times when the air clears and the dust settles that emotions comes out in the fans or in the fighters themselves. Maybe is was a momentous point in their career or maybe they had something happen in their personal life, but people can be moved to tears and express their emotions in a way that does not come off as typical machismo. They come far and wide but they certainly vary and they’re genuine. Regardless for whatever reason they move people, whether themselves or others, probably for the better.
To come up with such a list may seem almost impossible considering the multitude of these types of moments in the UFC overall. Such a list is hard to gauge especially considering the types of emotions and the way in which people come about such emotions. This is especially true when someone is able to rally the audience of an event behind them in celebrating or sympathizing with the emotions expressed by the fighter or fighters involved. However, those moments that made the list are certainly noteworthy regardless of whether they were made in happiness or sadness.
Here they are in all of their glory.
10. Forrest Griffin Cries After Lossing To Keith Jardine
David Becker/AP/Press Association Images
David Becker/AP/Press Association Images
It’s hard to gauge exactly why Forrest Griffin was so emotional when he lost to Keith Jardine at UFC 66 but the fact of the matter was that he was extremely emotional after that loss. At this point in his career Griffin had just rebounded from a loss against Tito Ortiz to defeat Stephen Bonnar decisively in a rematch of their first fight at the annual TUF Finale. He was hoping to keep that momentum going with a win against The Ultimate Fighter season 2 contestant Jardine, but as was typical during his UFC tenure, Keith Jardine had other plans. Following the fight, the only thing Griffin would say to Joe Rogan after he cried in his corner was that Jardine got the win Griffin had wanted and that he was going home. Awkward yes, but this was actually typical of Griffin.
Forrest Griffin is not known for his wisdom of word choices or too many other actions when it comes to the post fight as later fights against Tito Ortiz and Anderson Silva would show. Both appearances on The Ultimate Figher, both as a participant and as a coach showed just how much his emotions were all over the place. Even in retirement Griffin has shown this lack of wisdom in talking about his use of TRT during his fighting career. Fortunately this was only a small hiccup as Griffin would go on a winning streak that saw him capture the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Jardine on the other hand would have an up and down UFC career that eventually ended in his being sent to the regional circuit which included a stint in Strikeforce.9. Julianna Pena Defeats Jessica Rakoczy

This was emotional because of all the hardships that both women had to get to this point. Julianna Pena went through a rough few years prior to The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale going through injuries, bouncing between weight classes and getting two career losses after going undefeated in her first four fights. Jessica Rakoczy had been bouncing around between MMA and boxing for a few years as well before going into MMA full time and had to leave her son behind in order to get into The Ultimate Fighter House. Both women went into season 18 as clear underdogs and Rakoczy was probably the only person in the house with a loosing MMA record. However, they both found it in themselves to overcome the odds and meet each other in the finale.
It was no wonder that when both women made fought that they both showed a bit of emotion. Pena probably had the worst of it because for several reasons the members of the house seemed to gang up on her from almost day one. Rakoczy for her part never took part in the drama and both women went into the bout as respected opponents and left it that way. It was also no surprise that Pena’s teammate and TUF coach Miesha Tate went in and hugged her longtime friend after the bout. There’s no doubt that both women overcame the odds and made a name for themselves in the process, establishing women in The Ultimate Fighter.
8. BJ Penn Retires For The Second Time
Isaac Brekken/AP/Press Association Images
Isaac Brekken/AP/Press Association Images
It’s very sentimental when a longtime veteran and pioneer of the sport decides to call it a career and hang up his gloves for good. BJ Penn had supposedly done that back at UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz when Rory MacDonald decisively controlled him and sent him into what would only be his first retirement. However, there came a point when Penn felt that itch to get back into the Octagon and asked Dana White if he could give him another shot. Seeing an opportunity, White asked if he would not only be willing to face Frankie Edgar for a third time, but be willing to coach opposite him on season 19 of The Ultimate Fighter. Both fighters agreed and the match was set.
While the season overall was a disappointment, the coaches fight at the finale certainly was not. Penn came out with an aggressive style of coming forward at Edgar, forcing the man who took his UFC Lightweight Championship to back peddle and circle around. However, Edgar proved his confidence that he was a better fighter then when he faced Penn both in their first two encounters when he took him down practically at will. Then in the third round, Edgar took Penn down and started some brutal ground and pound forcing a TKO near the end of the round. No tears were cried but it was emotional for everyone at the Mandalay Bay Events center and Penn definitely showed some emotion as he walked away to his locker room for the last time.
7. Anderson Silva Splits His Leg And Cries In Pain
David Becker/AP/Press Association Images
David Becker/AP/Press Association Images
The shock factor definitely played a role in this moment. Following his first loss to Chris Weidman at UFC 162, Dana White granted Anderson Silva an immediate title shot just given on the fact that Silva had been the pound for pound champion for several years and the middleweight king for almost six years. Their rematch took place at UFC 168 as part of the UFC’s annual New Years show. While it was obvious that Silva was not underestimating Weidman this time around, Weidman still controlled Silva for the first and most of the second round. Then in the second round, Weidman checked a kick from Silva that made an ugly sound and almost immediately after Silva went down yelling in pain.
A concerned Weidman tended to his downed opponent while White also hovered around the injured Silva with the UFC middleweight belt in his hand. Replays showed that Silva split his leg completely to the point that it actually flopped around Weidman’s shin. The crowd was in shock and grossed out at the replay, Weidman looked concerned, and White was also clearly concerned. It was obvious that everyone was concerned for the injured Silva and it was disturbing to see probably the most dominant man in UFC history down on the floor in pain. Silva has since recovered but whether he’ll ever be the same is another question.6. Benson Henderson Proposes In The Octagon

Usually emotional moments in the Octagon are brought on with some kind of negative or sad emotions. This moment however, was all positive. Right after Benson Henderson defeated Gilbert Melendez at UFC on Fox 7, his at the time girlfriend Maria Magana was brought into the Octagon. Henderson then grabbed a small box that one of his corner men had brought with him and opened it to reveal a ring. That is right, Benson Henderson was doing a UFC first, proposing to his girlfriend in the Octagon.
Because of the fact that many believed that Henderson didn’t win the fight the judges believed he did, most of the fans were booing and his proposal actually didn’t win the audience over at all. Despite the boos, Henderson proposed to Maria who accepted his proposal. Once this happened there were actually some cheers from the audience but they were still upset about the decision for the most part. Regardless it was Henderson’s moment to be sure and he would keep a hold of Maria. They married shortly before his match with Josh Thomson at UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Thomson in January this year.
5. Johny Hendricks Defeats Robbie Lawler

Many thought that Johny Hendricks was robbed following his fight at UFC 167 with Georges St.-Pierre. While Hendricks had controlled St.-Pierre for a good portion of the fight the judges didn’t feel he did enough to claim the belt. Needless to say Hendricks jumped at a chance for redemption when he was offered an immediate title shot at the vacant UFC Welterweight Championship when St.-Pierre vacated the title. His opponent would be veteran Robbie Lawler who had built himself back to title contention. Lawler had also had his career ups and downs and was now getting another chance at a title.
However, Hendricks had to overcome a bit of adversity when he faced off against Lawler as he had a bicep injury that was further aggravated during the fight. This handicapped Hendricks from further utilizing his wrestling and gave Lawler the opportunity to get off more power strikes against him. Fortunately Hendricks found a way to deal with it and did maintain control during most of the fight. That is what made his victory more sweet when he came away with the win at UFC 171 after the close fight. Hendricks definitely showed some emotion at gaining the title some felt was his.4. Chris Weidman’s First Win Over Anderson Silva
David Becker/AP/Press Association Images
David Becker/AP/Press Association Images
To the majority of the UFC fanbase Chris Weidman was just another contender who was bound to become another one of Anderson Silva’s statistics. However, there were those who believed that if anyone had a chance at defeating Silva it was Weidman. Weidman for his part also made it clear that he had no fear of Silva as other fighters had when they’d faced off against Silva. He only reinforced this confidence when he came into Tom Petty’s song “Won’t Back Down” at UFC 162. Everyone found out when the two finally faced off and witnessed Weidman control Silva in the first round.
Then in the second round, Weidman figured out Silva’s boxing style of bobbing and weaving and didn’t fall for trying to recklessly finish Silva as so many had in the past. Instead he was patient in picking his shots and finally found his chin, putting an end to his longtime reign as king. Weidman showed a bit of emotion and humility when Dana White wrapped the strap around his waist.
3. TJ Dillashaw Defeats Renan Barao
Andre Penner/AP/Press Association Images
Andre Penner/AP/Press Association Images
Just like no one was giving Chris Weidman much of a chance against Anderson Silva in their first bout, not a lot of people were giving TJ Dillashaw much of a chance against Renan Barao. In fact the Las Vegas betting odds were at an almost 1000 point spread. Needless to say many thought that Barao would almost mop the floor with Dillashaw. But then in the first round Dillasahw actually dropped Barao which threw the momentum in Dillashaw’s favor. Dillashaw however was patient when he wasn’t able to finish Barao in the first and proceeded to control the defending champion for the rest of the fight.
Then in the fifth round Dillashaw dropped Barao and proceeded to ground and pound Barao until the fight was stopped. Dillashaw was elated and those present were elated as well, fully embracing the underdog. Dillashaw was very emotionally when he accepted his new championship and was complimented by Joe Rogan in the post fight interview for having pulled the upset. Dillashaw’s Team Alpha Male teammates were happy for him well as Urijah Faber was shown celebrating several times. It was one of those moments where many got emotional in a very positive way and for Dillashaw it was his emotional moment.
2. The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale, Griffin vs. Bonnar

In addition to being near the top of this list, this was also one of the most historic moments in the UFC, if not all of MMA. It was the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter and Forrest Griffin and Stephen Bonnar found themselves facing each other for the title of The Ultimate Fighter winner. For both men it was a chance to prove themselves and for UFC President Dana White and UFC owners Lorena and Frank Fertitta it was a due or die moment. The company was on the brink of bankruptcy and this was their last bid to either make it or break it.
It wasn’t the most technical fight but both men went in there and poured their hearts into the fight in a back and fourth affair that resulted in a split decision in favor of Griffin. Both men were emotional following the bout and Bonnar got even more emotional when Dana White announced that he was also getting a contract into the UFC, a precedent that has persisted to today. Nonetheless it was an emotional moment that revived the UFC.
1. Randy Couture’s First Retirement

Again it is not easy watching veterans and legends hang up the gloves but at some point they have to call it quits. Randy Couture had fought Chuck Liddell twice before and lost the second time around at UFC 52. After rebounding with a win Couture was looking to try and close out the trilogy with a win and regain the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Unfortunately also had the face the most dominant UFC Champion of the time in Liddell, also known as “The Iceman”. Couture certainly put up a valiant effort but Liddell knocked him out early in the second round.
Afterwards Couture announced his retirement and was cheered on by the crowd. To say it was difficult to watch was an understatement because of the fact that Couture had been through so many wars and had established himself as a legend of the sport. Granted it would not be his last time in the Octagon as he would come out of retirement just over a year later and take the UFC Heavyweight Champion from Tim Sylvia, again to thunderous applause. However, at the time many including Couture believed that this was the end of the road and it showed. For this he earned the most emotional moment on this list.

Topic like this is 100% subjective to what stirs emotions in the individual. When things happen to people you have begun to care about for what ever reasons then you get your own emotional moments. Many of those don't move the needle for me personally. Stuff that elicited emotions of though for me involve some of my favorite fighters.

Shogun beating Arona was very significant to me when it happened.
Shogun beating Rogerio was also, even though it was several months after the fight happened before I got to watch it and I knew the results.
Hedno KOing Wanderlei in Vegas was huge.
Machida getting the bad decision over Shogun killed me, then the redemption KO in the rematch was elation.
BJ when he gets the sad eyes after a tough loss.
Fedor against Bigfoot was worse then the Werdum loss, the first time he really lost the fight aspect of an MMA match like that.
Cain defeating Lesnar was big for a lot of good reasons.
The Shogun vs Hendo draw was an emotional highpoint.
Other things can stir emotions as well like fan made media. I remember the first time I watched 'A Matter of Pride' by boondocks. Serious goosebumps. The fan made trailer for the SF HW Grand Prix did the same thing. There are a ton of instances that are awesome. The incorporation of well crafted art into this crazy sport is a beautiful thing sometimes.